Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge Turpentine Creek is a Nonprofit organization that provides a lifelong sanctuary for rescued big cats. In 1982, they acquired another lion, named Sheila.

In 1978, the Jackson Family acquired their first lion, Bum, while living in NE Texas. Tanya Jackson Smith, current president of TCWR, was only 8 years old. Although it wasn't easy taking care of the two lions in their backyard, the Jackson family was successful. Bum and Shelia moved from their home in Hope, Arkansas, to Eureka Springs when the Refuge was first started in 1992. They remained at the Refuge for their entire life. Through Bum and Sheila's demanding backyard presence, the Jackson's met many people who either had, or wanted to have, a big cat as a pet living under their care, at their home. A black market breeder showed up on the Jackson's doorstep with 38 big cats crammed into two cattle trailers. She was on the run from the law in Texas and desperately needed to find a home for the cats. A friend of the Jackson family lived on a ranch in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and offered temporary refuge for the cats. Later the property was bought for a permanent home. The 38 big cats were moved to the nearly 500 acre ranch near Eureka Springs, which later became what today is Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. The labor intensive job of quickly building temporary cages for the 38 big cats was completed. Twiss was impossible to get along with and moved all her 70 cats and 30 horses that she had picked up from around the country and brought them to the refuge. It soon became evident, by incoming phone calls from all over the country from "big cat pet owners" looking for a home for their cat, that someone needed to start a refuge, or sanctuary. The Jackson family: Don, Hilda, Tanya, and Robert, stepped up to this challenge and did what most would only dream of sold everything; moved over 300 miles; and humbly went to work for the animals. Today there are over a dozen reputable sanctuaries for big cats around the country, and Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge truly stands out as a frontrunner. The United States has thousands of its residents keeping dangerous big cats in their backyards, basements, garages, and warehouses. People acquire these animals as pets and soon find they have made a grave decision and turn to Turpentine Creek for refuge.. Disclaimer: Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (Turpentine Creek Foundation Inc.) reserves the right to move donated money as needed to provide for the animals in our care and to keep the nonprofit running. Any donations received over and above the budget for the designated fund will be put into the general fund.

Bagheera’s StoryBagheera has a habit that makes his personality pretty clear—he likes to collect his toys! Now that he c...
09/14/2026

Bagheera’s Story

Bagheera has a habit that makes his personality pretty clear—he likes to collect his toys! Now that he can play without harassment, this handsome black jaguar will often gather up his enrichment items and hoard them in his night house.

He also enjoys relaxing high above the ground on his high-beam platforms, which allow him to display the natural tree-dwelling behavior of jaguars. During the summer, Bagheera loves cooling off in his pool, where playtime sometimes becomes an opportunity to practice his stealthy skills. He will pounce into the water and even “drown” his toys!

Bagheera is a male jaguar (Panthera onca), born May 10, 2018. He arrived at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge on May 17, 2021, and the peaceful life he enjoys today is very different from the one he knew before sanctuary.

At his previous facility, Bagheera was housed with two large lions in one of the small enclosures. The young jaguar suffered hair loss on his tail, likely caused by the stress of being bullied by the two lions as he clung to the safety of a corner.

Once Bagheera arrived at TCWR, he was given a spacious, natural habitat of his own. As he began to relax into the peace of sanctuary life, the hair on his tail grew back.

Bagheera came to TCWR when the Refuge assisted the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in May 2021 with the seizure of 68 big cats from the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park (Tiger King Park) in Oklahoma.

The animals had been living in debilitating conditions inside 10′ x 20′ metal and wire “shipping containers” with sand or rotting plywood flooring. The previous owners had refused to follow multiple court orders to cease breeding and failed to maintain and provide veterinarian records, resulting in authorities serving a warrant to seize all of the animals.

Today, Bagheera no longer has to cling to a corner for safety. He has the space and security to climb, swim, pounce, collect as many toys as he wants, and simply enjoy being a jaguar.

TCWR

09/13/2026

Zephora the white lioness has decided her big barrel is her favorite toy this week!

Keeping minds engaged and bodies moving is crucial to overall well-being. Providing a variety of toys and enrichment for these intelligent animals is an important part of daily animal care.

09/13/2026

MEDS WITH SAMSON 🦁

Keeper Jade has a special treat for Samson Lion—or at least, Samson thinks it’s just a treat! His animal care team has carefully hidden an important supplement inside.

When Samson was rescued last year, he was having difficulty walking. Dr. Kellyn brought in another veterinarian to determine whether Samson might be a candidate for joint injections to help improve his mobility. Surprisingly, his joints were actually in pretty good condition. The bigger issue was a lack of muscle.

Dr. Kellyn and the animal care team developed a plan to encourage this older gentleman to become more active and build muscle. They’ve tried many different things to get Samson moving, but so far, nothing has really captured his interest. Keeping him active continues to be an ongoing challenge—and the team continues looking for ways to encourage him.

To help support muscle development, Samson also receives a special supplement in chew form. There’s just one problem… he doesn’t like it!

Thankfully, Samson DOES like his meat treats, so Keeper Jade and the rest of the animal care team carefully hide the supplement inside something much tastier.

Caring for rescued animals often means adapting, problem-solving, and finding what works best for each individual animal.



As an added bonus, this video gives you a glimpse of part of Samson’s habitat while he enjoys his cleverly disguised “treat!”

09/13/2026

Well, look what Bam Bam found!

An apple just happened to be resting perfectly on top of his ball. Hmmm… wonder who could have put that there?

Bam Bam the grizzly certainly doesn’t seem concerned about the mystery—he’s just happy to enjoy the surprise!

09/13/2026

Will you say "GOOD MORNING" to Fred?

09/13/2026

The search is on!

Huggy Bear is on the hunt for goodies! Keepers often hide tasty treats throughout the bears’ habitats, encouraging them to use their incredible noses and natural foraging behaviors to search them out.

Foraging is an important form of enrichment because it gives bears the opportunity to explore, sniff, investigate, and “work” for their treats—just as they naturally would while searching for food.

Huggy certainly seems to enjoy the challenge! Now the question is… where did those keepers hide the next goodie?

09/12/2026

Find the shade. Roll in the grass. Say hello to your friends. Repeat as needed.

Thelma Tiger seems to have life figured out!

She was perfectly content rolling around in the soft grass and enjoying a shady spot… until she spotted staff nearby. Then it was time to wander over and say hello.

Sometimes the best days really are that simple.

09/12/2026

OUTTA MY WAY… MY POOL IS CLEAN and HERE I COME!!!

Khaleesi Tiger wasted absolutely NO time rushing out of her den and heading straight for her freshly cleaned pool!

Staff and interns regularly clean and refill the animals’ pools, and judging by Khaleesi’s reaction, she definitely approves of their work!

There’s nothing quite like a fresh, clean pool on a warm day—especially when you’re a tiger!

Your views, comments, and shares help generate funds that support the care of Khaleesi and all the rescued animals who call Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge home. Thank you for watching and being part of their care!

09/12/2026

The maintenance department at Turpentine Creek is always busy, busy, busy!

One of their current projects is clearing brush to create a better viewing area of Freedom Field. It takes a few good men, some large equipment, and a whole lot of sweat, time, and expense to get the job done.

We are so proud of our hardworking, highly dedicated maintenance team. They may be working behind the scenes, largely unseen by the public on social media, but they are a HUGE part of what keeps the sanctuary running and helps us provide the very best home possible for the rescued animals in our care.

Please join us is thanking this amazing maintenance team.

Address

239 Turpentine Creek Lane
Eureka Springs, AR
72632

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4pm
Thursday 8:30am - 3pm
Friday 8:30am - 4pm
Saturday 8:30am - 5pm
Sunday 8:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+14792535841

Website

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